Under the state labor law known as HEERA (Higher Education Employer Relations Act), employees are guaranteed the rights to join and participate in an employee organization and to engage in collective bargaining regarding terms and conditions of employment. It is unlawful for an employer to impose or threaten to impose retaliation, or restrain or coerce an employee in the exercise of these rights.

Rights Under State Labor Laws:

⇒ You have the right to engage in Union speech. You have the right to wear your Union pin and other Union gear, so long as it does not create a safety hazard or otherwise interfere with production. You have the right to talk to your co-workers about Union matters and other workplace concerns, during breaks, meals periods and other non-work times. You have the right to work together with your co-workers to improve workplace conditions. It is a violation of state law for the employer to interfere with these rights.

⇒You have the right to union representation during meetings which may lead to discipline (also known as Weingarten Rights). If you are called into a meeting that you believe may lead to discipline, you should request that a Union representative be present for the meeting. Read the following statement of your rights to management:

"If this discussion could in any way lead to my being disciplined or terminated, or affect my personal working conditions, I respectfully request that my Union representative, officer, or steward be present at this meeting. Until my representative arrives, I choose not to participate in this discussion."

⇒ The Union has the right to reasonable access to the workplace, including work areas, break rooms, meeting facilities, bulletin boards, and mailboxes. It is a violation of state law for supervisors to interfere with Union access to the workplace, and your right to talk to your Union representatives.

⇒ Union stewards have the right to time off with pay to meet and confer with management.

⇒ The Union has the right to strike and engage in peaceful picketing. While striking is always a last resort, the Union has the right to do so (within certain legal limitations) when collective bargaining does not result in a fair contract.